Daily Archives: 22. August 2017

A Monaco supporters group has criticised Kylian Mbappe as he continues to be linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG are in talks with the Ligue 1 champions over a season-long loan deal for the 18-year-old with an agreement to buy the striker next summer.

“We think that no player is worth so many millions of euros. We believe football is for everyone and values such as the love of the shirt and respect for the club where you began your career,” a statement read.

“We think that no player is worth so many millions of euros. We believe football is for everyone and values such as the love of the shirt and respect for the club where you began your career.

“We cannot accept that one of our players has acted in that way and demand such figures, without having disputed more than a few dozen matches at professional level.

“We would like to remind Kylian Mbappe and his clan that nothing and nobody is above the institution of AS Monaco FC. We therefore strongly hope our representatives will take the necessary decision to close this case if these requirements are confirmed while taking into consideration that it is essential not to strengthen the competition for the title.

“Since their arrival, they have shown us their ability and we fully believe in them to build a team capable of defending the title, with or without Mbappe.”

Southampton have announced the signing of Dutch international centre-back Wesley Hoedt on a five-year contract from Lazio.

Wesley Hoedt, who began his career at AZ Alkmaar in his home country, moved to Lazio in 2015 and made his senior international debut earlier this year. becoming a regular fixture in the Netherlands squad.

Defender Wesley Hoedt says he is pleased to have joined Southampton, commenting in a club statement: “I’m really happy to be here. I think Southampton is a really big club, so it’s a good next step for me to come here and to play in the Premier League and try to help the best I can.”

Southampton vice chairman Les Reed believes that 23-year-old Wesley Hoedt can develop even more at St Mary’s and there is a mention for international team-mate Virgil Van Dijk in the process. A hint of his future perhaps?…

“Wesley is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe and represents a significant addition to our squad,” he said in a club statement.

“We believe he has all the qualities to play a big part in our future, and we have worked hard to bring him to Southampton, with a number of other high-profile clubs interested in him.

“Wesley has proven his talent through his performances for Lazio, as well as the Netherlands, and we believe he can develop even further here at Southampton, alongside his international teammate Virgil van Dijk, as well as the likes of Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos.

“With Wesley joining those players, we believe we have the right amount of quality, depth and flexibility at centre-back to help us achieve our aims this season.”

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic would like to bring in one more player before the transfer window closes.

Manager Slaven Bilic says the Hammers “are still waiting” for news on whether William Carvalho will join from Sporting Lisbon but says he will only release players if he is able to bring in replacements.

“We will see what happens in the last week of the transfer window, if somebody is going to leave or come in,” said Bilic. “Like most clubs we are ready to do something, both ways in case something good comes on our plate.

“I’m happy with the squad now. I would like to have one more and after that, if somebody leaves we have to fill that gap because we don’t have a big squad.

“This is our squad for the season, or at least until January. We are happy but if somebody leaves we have to be ready to act.”

Barcelona have announced that they are suing Neymar for a breach of contract, saying they’re owed €8.5m (around £7.8m) from last year’s renewal bonus.

Neymar left Barcelona for Paris St Germain for a world record transfer fee of £198m three weeks ago.

“Barcelona decided to take these actions in defence of their interests, after a unilateral termination of contract urged by Neymar Jr a few months after signing the renewal until the end of the year 2021,” a statement read.

The lawsuit was submitted on 11 August to the Labour Tribunal in Barcelona.

Following the transfer, Barcelona announced the club was withholding a further 26m euro (£23m) loyalty bonus from the player.

Neymar criticised the directors of the club on Sunday after scoring twice on his home debut for PSG in a 6-2 win over Toulouse.

“I spent four beautiful years there and parted happy,” said the 25-year-old. “But with [the board], no.

“For me, they are not the people who should be there, for the direction of Barca. Barca deserve much better.”

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, August 22, presided over a council meeting with the country’s service chiefs at the presidential villa in Abuja.

It is understood that those who attended the meeting that lasted three hours include the national security adviser, service chiefs, and the inspector-general.

Speaking after the meeting, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Abayomi Olonisakin, disclosed that issues of the alleged Secret Service of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Boko Haram menace and the various security threats plaguing the country were among what was discussed at the closed-door meeting.

He said President Buhari has given some directives including tackling the threats, which, he said, would be carried out by the military and the security agencies soon.

His words: “We have been meeting with Mr. President for the last three hours. We updated him on all security issues around the country, within the country and outside the country, where our troops are.”

“Of course, we have just updated him because he is aware of what’s been happening. He has been receiving regular briefings from the acting president and he has also been going through the print media and electronic media to follow the happenings in the country.

“After the meeting, he has directed on some areas we should look at so as to enhance our operations in the country.”

“The issues of security, every security threat, all security threats were treated one after the other ranging from terrorism to kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clash, to IPOB issue.”

“In his address to the nation, he talked about the unity of the nation which is non-negotiable. We have all been fully instructed to ensure that that directive is carried out to the letter.”

“We are going to enhance our operations in all the areas we need to do that. Like I said, he has given the necessary directives which will be carried out by the military and the security agencies.”

Jamaal Lascelles has dismissed any suggestions of ‘negativity’ within the Newcastle United squad after the club’s opening two matches in the Premier League.

SUNDERLAND ECHO

Simon Grayson has admitted he is shopping in a crowded transfer market. The Sunderland boss has targeted UK-based players this summer, particularly those that he has worked with in the past.

BIRMINGHAM MAIL

Harry Redknapp has confirmed former Spurs defender Sebastien Bassong is training with Birmingham City and hinted a deal could be on offer.

Tony Pulis says Jonny Evans is unfazed by all the transfer talk even though Manchester City represent a “different” kind of lure. City are understood to be preparing a second approach for Evans having had an initial offer, understood to be £18m, rejected.

Steve Bruce is convinced his summer signings will help Villa mount a serious promotion bid this season.

EXPRESS & STAR

Tony Pulis has challenged Salomon Rondon to “step up to the mark” in the face of improving competition.

THE SENTINEL

Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite says the club’s budget is 20 per cent higher than last year as the Valiants try to get out of League Two at the first attempt.

THE DAILY ECHO

Southampton are set to take their summer spending close to the £40m mark as they prepare to complete the signing of Wesley Hoedt.

HULL DAILY MAIL

Hull City expect to complete a deal to sign Swansea City defender Stephen Kingsley in the next 24 hours as Sam Clucas prepares to finalise his £15m move in the opposite direction.

LEICESTER MERCURY

Yohan Benalouane’s future at Leicester City is in serious doubt after Craig Shakespeare told reporters they would have to “wait and see” whether the defender is in his long-term plans.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST

Swansea City are pursuing a deal for PSV Eindhoven full-back Santiago Arias.

FULHAM CHRONICLE

Slavisa Jokanovic expects to have used the entire Fulham squad by the end of Tuesday night as he prepares his side to face Bristol Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

SOUTH LONDON PRESS

Millwall could be set for some player movement this week – with a potential exit on the cards. The Lions have a number of players who have struggled to gain game time in the opening weeks of the 2017-18 campaign with the likes of Mahlon Romeo, Ben Thompson, David Worrall and Calum Butcher all on the fringes.

YORKSHIRE EVENING POST

Leeds have tabled a bid for NEC Nijmegen striker Jay-Roy Grot but look set to fail with a move for Middlesbrough’s Rudy Gestede as their hunt for new strikers intensifies on the back of Chris Wood’s exit.

NOTTINGHAM POST

Nottingham Forest are understood to have made a €2m bid for Danish international keeper Frederik Ronnow – but it has been rejected by Brondby.

BTDT Hub, the social enterprise committed to empowering young people with the ability to fulfil their potential held their talk of the town series, Legendary Leadership Lessons five in Lagos on 29th July 2017.

Hosted by Ayo Ajibare and Moyosola Jolaolu, LLL 5.0 was deemed a success by delegates and organisers alike as lots of refreshing and inspiring insights were shared.

In this edition, there were three panels of experts speaking on various interesting topics specifically selected to empower the audience. It is also worthy of note that #LLL is one of Nigeria’s only series that seamlessly marries Nigerian politics with Media.

The event was well attended by OAPs such as Tega Onojaife, Sope Martins, Tolulope Adeleru Balogun, Nelly Kalu and Denike Oyetunde to Communication Strategists such as Mustafa Ahmed Tijani, Salihu Tanko Yakasai and Ahmed Ningi and writers such as Nejeeb Bello, Princess Abumere, and Jude Egbas.

The first panel was dedicated to the OAPs speaking on their role in Navigating a New Nigeria. Panel 2 featured a talk on Political Reporting and Journalism while the third panel focused on Lessons from Young Leaders in Transforming the Rules of Engagement in Nigerian Politics.

Of the day’s events, one that left an indelible mark in the minds of delegates was Nigeria Police Force Assistant PRO Aliyu Giwa’s thank you speech. He was presented with the ‘Young Public Servant of the Year’ Award. Aliyu expressed his gratitude amidst tears. His speech highlighted his journey into serving in the Force. He inspired the audience and noted that going the road less travelled might indeed be the road that leads to success.

Also, to reward excellence in Public Service, Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah was presented with the ‘Public Servant and Reformer of the Year’ Award. The award was presented by Personal Finance expert Yinka Ogunnubi.

Dr. Joe Abah was recognized for his work in changing the narrative in the Public Service. He shared some words of wisdom on leadership and reforms. By the time he was through with his speech, a number of the delegates had a paradigm shift in their thoughts on leadership.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, on Tuesday, reminded Nigerians that it was no longer in the business of issuing them visas.

The Embassy’s Charge d’ Affaires, Mr Michel Deleen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Embassy had since 2013 swapped its visa issuance processes in Nigeria.

Deleen said that the Embassy had since 2013 swapped its visas issuance to Nigerians with the French Consulate General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

“Let me remind Nigerians that since 2013, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria had signed agreements with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

“What this means is that we have swapped our visa application processes in Nigeria with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

“Let me remind Nigerians that under these agreements, any Nigerian that wants to visit the Netherlands for business, study or tourism should always process their visa applications through the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja,’’ he said.

Deleen also enjoined Nigerians to always apply for visas to the Netherlands, through VFS Global to the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

The Charge d’ Affaires said that it was important for Nigerians and other nationals in Nigeria to know that VFS Global was the internationally-authorized organisation for receiving all visa applications.

“Let me also advise anyone seeking visas to the Netherlands through the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja, to always first apply through VFS Global.

“When you first apply to VFS Global for visas to the Netherlands, VFS Global would thereafter send them to the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja for processing,’’ he said.

VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide.

The company manages administrative and non-judgmental tasks related to visas, passports, identity management and other citizen services for its client governments.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Sadio Mane is more important to the squad than Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazil international and playmaker has been the subject of two rejected bids from Barcelona.

Coutinho was unavailable for the win against Crystal Palace, with Sadio Mane scoring the only goal.

“I’d make an argument for that, especially with the way Jurgen Klopp likes to play. I think he’s massively important,” he said on Sky Sports.
“You see the goals that he’s got and his goals record for a wide player is phenomenal since he’s come to the club.

“All the other players on the list (players with the best minutes per goal ratio) are top strikers in the Premier League. For Mane to be there, it shows his impact.

“If you compare him to Coutinho, who is a fantastic player which is why Barcelona want him, but if he carries on the way he is going, the top clubs around Europe will be looking at him because he has been a revelation since he came in.”

The Presidency has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari, who resumed duties Monday after a 103-day medical vacation abroad, will operate from his official residence until the completion of the renovation of his office.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Shehu Garba, while speaking with THISDAY, the president’s office needed renovation because of its devastation by rodents during the president’s long period of absence.

“Following the three months period of disuse, rodents have caused a lot of damage to the furniture and the air conditioning units,” Shehu said, adding that it was impossible for his boss to operate from the office in that condition.

The spokesman, however, said the development would not affect the effectiveness of Buhari’s work since his residence has an annex to the office, adding that the maintenance company has been urged to speed up its pace of work.

He then penned the two Chambers of the National Assembly, notifying the lawmakers of his return and his subsequent resumption of duty.

“In compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I write to intimate that I have resumed my functions as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with effect from Monday, 21st August, 2017, after my medical follow-up in the United Kingdom,” the letter was dispatched to the Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, hours after his nationwide broadcast on Monday morning, read.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has hit out at a possible Kylian Mbappe transfer to PSG, saying such a move would ruin competition in Ligue 1.

Kylian Mbappe helped Monaco to the Ligue 1 title last season, ending PSG’s four-year reign as league champions in the process.

PSG have already signed Neymar from Barcelona for a world record fee of €222 million this summer, and Sky Sports reported on Monday that PSG are nearing another huge deal with Monaco for France international Mbappe.

Aulas, who criticised the big-money swoop for the Brazil star, was equally outspoken at the prospect of PSG landing Mbappe.

“We’re talking about the possible arrival of Kylian Mbappe,” Aulas told RMC. “When you see Sunday’s game, is it useful for Mbappe to come to PSG? Is it useful for the competition and the economic evolution of football?

“If you no longer have balance in terms of the investors, in the long term, you risk no longer having the incredible football we saw with PSG. I’m afraid we’re heading into an arms race, which is pointless.

“It is going to improve PSG’s performance if Kylian Mbappe comes? If you hoard, with supernatural money, the best players in one team, you don’t have any more competition.”

Brighton have confirmed a deal to sign Ghana international Raphael Dwamena subject to a work permit and international clearance.

The 21-year-old forward joins from FC Zurich, where he scored two goals from five Swiss Super League appearances this season.

Raphael Dwamena has agreed personal terms and is now waiting to receive clearance to travel to the UK for a medical.

Dwamena has enjoyed a remarkable career rise in just six months after joining Zurich from Red Bull Salzburg in January, scoring 12 goals in 18 matches.

Newly-promoted Premier League side Brighton have failed to score in their opening two top flight matches, losing 2-0 to both Manchester City and Leicester and Hughton will be hoping his frontline can get going quickly.

A statement read: “Brighton & Hove Albion can confirm that the club has reached agreement with FC Zurich for the permanent transfer of Ghanaian international, Raphael Dwamena, subject to work permit and international clearance.

“The 21-year-old striker has also agreed personal terms with the club and is now awaiting clearance to travel to the UK for his medical.”

The director-general of the Nigeria office for trade negotiations, Chiedu Osakwe, has said that the agency will embark on a review of all trade and investment agreements entered into with countries and entities since 1960.

Director-general of the Nigeria office for trade negotiations, Chiedu Osakwe

Osakwe, who made this known in an interview with BusinessDay, said the aim of the review is to update and modernise such agreements.

He said: “The review focuses on all our trade and investment agreements from 1960 till date.”

“It also dwells on reviews of all the memoranda of understanding that we have had on trade and investments; so that we can update, modernise them. It would also enable us to be sure that they carry net benefits for the Nigerian economy, in terms of improved dynamics, and also in terms of job creation.”

It is understood that since the last decade, Nigeria has entered into well over 550 trade agreements and signed more than 100 trade policies.

This has led to calls for the West African country to review its trade agreements and policies with concerns that over the years, they have not really yielded gains but have rather worked to the country’s disadvantage.

Speaking further, the DG said the office is allocating responsibilities to its staff after which the review will commence.

Osakwe continued: “We have to be certain that investments in the Nigerian market provide a spur to the global market in partnerships with Nigerian producers and industrialists.”

“In subsequent MoUs and trade agreements, we have to be certain that there are calculable benefits for jobs and creation of massive employment opportunities for growth, in ways that are connected to value chains.

“After the decision by the federal executive council on May 10, the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiation was established, we are just putting up the physical office this week, and the staffers are settling into their offices. For now, we are working out agenda, writing up job descriptions, allocating responsibilities, after which we commence.”

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is expected to announce a new holistic policy with respect to admissions to Nigerian Tertiary Institutions on Tuesday, August 22, when the exam body should have concluded its ongoing deliberation.

It is understood that the meeting, which started yesterday, involves admission officers of Nigerian tertiary institutions, and is taking place at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.

Premium Times reports that some of the issues discussed at the meeting include the introduction of Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) to ensure quality control, transparency and credibility of the admission process.

An attendee at Monday’s meeting explained that the new policy is expected to make provision for a ‘market place’ in the JAMB portal where institutions can go and ‘request for students in Nigeria who score their cut off points.’

“These institutions will write to JAMB to request for the students and also give them (students) three days to respond. Also, only three universities can request for a candidate if the policy is adopted,” the attendee said.

The new policy is also expected to allow institutions in Nigeria peg their cut off point after meeting with their respective senates.

The new policy will also give the academic board or senate of an institution the power to ‘allocate percentages to JAMB, the school and O’level results as these will be calculated to get the students’ cut off marks for post-UTME.’

It was also gathered that JAMB wants to ensure there is a unified time for closing admission in all universities.

If the policy is approved, there will be a portal for admission which will be based on cut off points, quota system and catchment areas.

“The new system is such that institutions can only admit those who meet their cut off points,” an admission officer for a tertiary institution who was at the meeting said, adding that “If a candidate does not meet the cut off, no matter whom he or she knows, such person cannot be admitted.”

The apex exam body is also expected to formally brief newsmen on the outcome of the meeting later today.

Meanwhile, JAMB has delisted management courses of some universities in its current admission brochure.

These institutions are Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Modibbo Adamawa Federal University of Technology, Yola (MAUTY), Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) and University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAW).

The delisting is sequel to an order by the federal government that the universities of Agriculture and Technology should stop running management courses and focus on their core mandates.

The directive was issued by the Ministry of Education after it was approved recently by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday offered $195m in three segments of the Foreign Exchange Market to boost liquidity in the operation.

The CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr Isaac Okorafor, in a statement in Abuja said that in the wholesale segment of the Interbank Foreign Exchange market, it auctioned $100m and also intervened in the Small and Medium Enterprises $50m.

He said the bank also offered the invisible segments, with $45m.

He said the bank had kept fate with its resolve to ensure that there was sustained liquidity in the market following pressures on the market from those seeking forex for school fees and vacations.

He stated that the bank would also ensure that genuine requests for FOREX were met, as well as improved liquidity and flexibility in the market.

This comes on the heels of last week’s intervention in which the retail secondary market intervention sales received the largest allocation of about $264m.

The authorised dealers in the wholesale window had also received $100m.

The CBN, in a bid to improve forex availability in the market and ameliorate challenges encountered by critical stakeholders, said payment for port charges to the Nigerian Ports Authority would be accommodated by the bank, using Form ‘A’.

The CBN further said that other agencies by oil marketing companies would also be accommodated by the bank, using the same form.

The move by the CBN is to speed up operations at the ports, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business in the country.